Two events in 2006 changed the way federal agencies and contractors viewed and understood cybersecurity. Those two now-seminal events brought cybersecurity out from underneath the IT blanket and into the mainstream. In our special report, Cybersecurity Rising, Federal News Radio looks back at how those events influenced significant change in securing federal systems and how senior leaders talk about and grasp the importance of cybersecurity.

Six years after the Veterans Affairs data breach, civilian agency networks and computers are more secure. Current and former federal officials and cyber experts say from secretaries on down, the threat of a cyber attack and the impact on mission is well understood.

Mark Weatherford, DHS deputy undersecretary for cybersecurity, discusses how the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center is at the core of an effort to bring government and industry closer together to respond to threats against critical infrastructure.

Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.), co-founder of the bipartisan Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus, says the U.S. is falling short when it comes to a skilled cyber workforce capable of operating at the highest levels of its field. His column is part of Federal News Radio's special report, Cybersecurity Rising.

Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), the chairman of
the House GOP Cybersecurity Task Force, argues that the country's national security cannot afford a stalemate on cyber legislation. His column is part of Federal News Radio's special report, Cybersecurity Rising.

Federal News Radio polled current and former
federal cybersecurity experts for their opinion on what were the most significant
accomplishments since 2006 to secure federal networks and improve public-private partnerships. The list blends suggestions of
more than 10 authorities on federal
cybersecurity. The accomplishments are in no
particular order.